Collared Lizard

For the Animal Close-Ups album. This pretty little gal was enjoying the afternoon sun in the Grand Canyon near the North Kaibab trail. She was nice enough to let me get the camera within 15cm. Photo taken 30 May 2005.

Yes, snuggly, but she probably didn't feel the same about me. Ironic maybe that something most humans don't find snuggly actually finds us non-snuggly?

I just now recalled something about this lizard. I remember that being able to take these very close pictures put me in a good mood at the time. The rim-to-rim hike can be a little tiring, and I remember being happy that this cool little creature was letting me hold the camera only inches from her. (Maybe the ten-minute rest felt good too.)

I don't know why she was so cool. Maybe it was because I was able to hold the camera without having my fat head behind it. I used manual focus (digital SLR camera) and used the lens' closest focus distance, which was about 15cm. When I heard the beep of the focus indicator, I knew I had the camera at the correct distance from Senorita Lizard.

Just a factoid. Collared lizards can rise
up and run on their hind legs, which allows
them to run faster. Coupling speed with
large heads and powerful jaws makes them
formidable predators on smaller lizards,
which they will consume without mercy!